Explore UCD

UCD Home >

CVEN40210

Academic Year 2024/2025

Geotechnics 4 (CVEN40210)

Subject:
Civil Engineering
College:
Engineering & Architecture
School:
Civil Engineering
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
5
Module Coordinator:
Dr Shane Donohue
Trimester:
Spring
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

Prepare students for practice in Geotechnical Engineering. Update students in current practice and beyond in design and analysis. Topics will include soil sampling, geophysics, in-situ testing, soil parameters for design, stress/strain behaviour, elasticity, plasticity and soil stiffness.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, students will have knowledge and understanding of current Irish Geotechnical practice (analysis and design). They will:

1. Understand theory and physics behind fundamental aspects of soil engineering.
2. Become familiar with more advanced soil mechanics theories based on recent research.
3. Be able to interpret data from a range of field and laboratory geotechnical techniques
4. Have a good working knowledge of all ground engineering techniques used in Ireland / Western Europe along with their advantages and limitations.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

74

Lectures

24

Small Group

12

Total

110


Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Students are taught predominantly through online lectures, although the following activities are also carried out.
(1) A field demonstration of geophysical equipment.
(2) Two group summary quizzes are also conducted. These activities encourage students to interact with their peers, while also providing an opportunity for self assessment.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

Satisfactory performance in CVEN30010


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Pre-requisite:
CVEN30010 - Geotechnics 2

Co-requisite:
CVEN40720 - Geotechnics 3


 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Group Work Assignment: Site Investigation and Geotechnical Design Project Week 3, Week 4, Week 5, Week 6, Week 7, Week 8, Week 9 Graded No
65
No
Exam (Open Book): Open Book Classtest Week 12 Graded No
35
No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Group/class feedback, post-assessment
• Peer review activities
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback from the group project is provided to groups during the semester, in advance of the final summative exam. As part of this project, students are asked to review their peers. Two group summary quizzes are conducted during the module, in order to provide formative feedback to the students. This provides students with an opportunity for self assessment.

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
Spring Tutorial Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32 Mon 14:00 - 14:50
Spring Lecture Offering 1 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 11:00 - 12:50